Ryan Howard, second from left, celebrates with teammates as Jon Singleton (28) walks off the field after Howard's game-winning single during the 15th inning.

Ryan Howard, second from left, celebrates with teammates as Jon Singleton (28) walks off the field after Howard's game-winning single during the 15th inning.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

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Astros catcher Jason Castro, left, walks off the field as Ryan Howard celebrates after hitting the game-winning RBI-single.

Astros catcher Jason Castro, left, walks off the field as Ryan Howard celebrates after hitting the game-winning RBI-single.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

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Chris Carter catches a long fly ball hit by Cody Asche.

Chris Carter catches a long fly ball hit by Cody Asche.

Photo: Brian Garfinkel / Getty Images

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Dallas Keuchel pitches during the first inning.

Dallas Keuchel pitches during the first inning.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

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Ryan Howard hits a home run off Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Ryan Howard hits a home run off Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

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Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick cannot reach a home run by Ryan Howard during the second inning.

Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick cannot reach a home run by Ryan Howard during the second inning.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

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Kyle Kendrick pitches during the first inning.

Kyle Kendrick pitches during the first inning.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

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Robbie Grossman, right, is tagged out by Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins after trying to steal second.

Robbie Grossman, right, is tagged out by Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins after trying to steal second.

Photo: Matt Slocum / Associated Press

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George Springer cuts short rehab assignment, returns to Houston

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PHILADELPHIA — After tweaking his left quad on Wednesday in a minor league rehab game with Low Class A Quad Cities in Iowa, George Springer returned to Houston on Thursday. Manager Bo Porter said that further tests, i.e. an MRI, weren’t needed.

“He was going to have a day off today regardless,” Porter said. “We’ll send him through a workout tomorrow.

“I don’t think it’s going to be something that’s going to set him back for where he was already at.”

Assuming Springer is able to return in the very near future, he would not need to return to a minor league affiliate for another rehab appearance, Porter said. The left quad injury is what landed Springer on the disabled list in the first place.

Dexter Fowler (right intercostal), meanwhile, was sent on Thursday to Class AAA Oklahoma City to begin a rehab assignment of his own.
Fowler is set to play in a game for the first time Friday, but was expected to go through a full workout day on Thursday. Fowler has missed 35 big league games. Oklahoma City is playing at home against the Cubs’ Class AAA affiliate, Iowa, through Monday.

The other injured ‘Stros outfielder, Alex Presley, is progressing too. As he hoped to do at some point during the Astros three-game series in Philadelphia, he took batting practice in the cage on Wednesday. He said he came out of that well, and is hoping to be able to go through a full range of pre-game activities at some point during the Astros’ six-game homestand that starts Friday.